Open House London

20/9/2014-21/9/201409.00 - 23.00City Wide

More than 800 of London’s iconic buildings and sites of interest will be opening their doors for free this September during Open House London. It promises to be a feast of cultural and architectural design with treats for every taste.

The events are roughly split into different groups in order to inform what sort of experience you can expect. If you want a guide, there are free architecture-themed walks, cycle rides and debates. A couple of highlights include the View from the Shard and 30 St Mary Axe otherwise known as The Gherkin.

For those into sustainability take a look around Nick Baker’s eco home at 25C Montpellier Road or the re-purposed sheds and a converted workhouse laundry at Ott’s Yard.

At many of the events the architect will be present so you can pick their brains about what they envisioned for that space and where their inspiration came from.

There is a whole series of Open House London events being held in conjunction with the Totally Thames Festival that takes place throughout September. Take a landscape led walk around Clapham Old Town & Venn Street and see how the regeneration is having a positive effect on the area.

One place that is worth a visit at any time is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the site of the London 2012 Olympics. The whole area has been revitalised with parks and gardens, walkways and boat tours.

To get to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from Generator London head to London St Pancras station only a few minutes’ walk away and catch the train to Stratford International Station. The journey takes less than 20 minutes and there is a huge Westfield shopping centre right next door which has an amazing food court if you feel like a snack.